Old Monterey District Blog

Enjoy an ice cream float in Monterey's late summer sunshine! Bobalicious and Bites now offers ice cream floats using our Ube or Cookie Monster ice cream. These floats are creamy, sweet, picture-perfect, and totally irresistible.

In our Ube Float (pictured here), creamy goodness meets the rich, nutty flavor of ube in a chilled, fizzy swirl. It's a purple fantasy you can sip and scoop! Come try it at 474 Tyler Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

About Bobalicious & Bites

Bobalicious & Bites is a local, family-run shop that's passionate about making your drink delicious! Every item on our menu is handcrafted and made to order.

Jamba is all about making the most of the season. Whether you love the warm colors and chillier weather of fall, or holding onto the last bit of summer sun, Jamba offers a delicious and fulfilling way to celebrate this time of year.

Beginning September 2, 2025, stop by Jamba and try out the latest pumpkin smoothies and bowls: Pumpkin Smash Smoothie, Pumpkin Pie Crunch Smoothie, Pumpkin Smash Bowl, or Pumpkin Oatmeal Bowl. Visit us at 398 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Does your pre-teen love art? Are you looking for a studio where they can flourish and evolve artistically as they grow older?

Youth Arts Collective is bringing back the Teaching Across Generations (TAG) program! These are workshops open to artists ages 11-13 that explore collage, mobile making, painting, and ceramics.

Schedule

September 6 & 13, 10am-12pm
Collage & Mixed Media / Paper Sculpture & Mobiles

October 18 & 25, 10am-12pm
Found Object Mobiles

November 8 & 15, 10am-12pm
Ceramics

Registration

TAG sessions happen two Saturdays per month, 10am-12pm, at The Youth Arts Collective Studio, 472 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey.

Fee is $60 per month, or you can purchase all three months for a 17% discount. Learn more and register here.

Too many men face life’s challenges in silence - shouldering stress, relationship struggles, and self-doubt alone. The nonprofit Breakthrough Men’s Community has been changing that narrative for nearly four decades, offering workshops that provide a safe space for men to connect, grow, and live with greater purpose. We invite men to join our Fall 2025 Workshop beginning October 22.

About the Workshop

Breakthrough isn’t just a program - it’s a 26-week journey where men step out of isolation, examine the patterns holding them back, and discover the strength that comes from authentic connection. In a confidential setting - whether in person or online - participants gain tools to strengthen relationships, deepen self-awareness, and live more intentionally.

Workshop Dates

There are two ways to participate: in person in Monterey, or online. Our in-person workshop begins on October 22 here on the Monterey Peninsula. Our online workshop, which is accessible from anywhere, begins October 14th online.

Registration

Registration for Fall 2025 Workshops is open now - please register here. Free introductory sessions are offered for those who want to learn more before enrolling - see here for details.

Financial Aid

From the beginning, Breakthrough has committed to making workshops available to any man ready to do the work, regardless of his financial situation. Scholarships and tuition assistance are funded by donors who believe in the mission. Men who need support are encouraged to apply - no one is ever turned away because of cost.

About Breakthrough Men’s Community

Breakthrough Men’s Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Monterey, California. Its mission is to help men lead fuller, more authentic lives through facilitated workshops, community support, and long-term peer connection. For more than 35 years, Breakthrough has served thousands of men across the Central Coast, Northern California, and beyond.

The Cooper-Molera Adobe Museum has opened a gift shop! There you'll find postcards of the property, porcelain replicas of found china, tote bags, t-shirts, writing plumes, handcrafted ornaments by local ceramist Casey Starks, and old fashioned children's games such as the wooden yo-yo and cup and ball.

Cooper-Molera Adobe Museum, located at 506 Munras Avenue in Downtown Old Monterey, is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-2pm. Visit our website

Downtown Old Monterey welcomes our newest boutique, New June! Located at 176 Bonifacio Place, New June carries thoughtful goods, new and found. Clothing, accessories, homewares, both curated vintage and artisan-made pieces - there are treasures for everyone. Go browse the latest drops; you never know what you'll find.

The boutique is a new venture by Ryan Zen Lama, the owner of East Village Cafe and Maybe on Monday. It's slow style with a warm spirit. Visit and see for yourself.

Tip: New June is now accepting consignment. Let your pre-loved pieces find a new home.

Venture Gallery presents France Ruhnke, our featured local artist in August and September. This exhibit of her contemporary mixed media work, entitled Creative Flow, uses contour drawing, oil painting, shadow boxes, and objects such as vintage maps, feathers, and wire.

About the Exhibit

In Creative Flow, France Ruhnke uses paper, canvas, fabric, gold leaf, paint, ink, natural flowers, feathers, egg shells, vintage French literature, maps, and wire to explore the delicate essence of nature’s flow. Her uplifting, ethereal work is remarkable for its exploration of movement, colors, light, and transparency.

About Venture Gallery

Venture Gallery is open 10am-6pm daily. France Ruhnke's artwork will be featured through September 2025. Venture Gallery is located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Visit our website to shop online for work by our local artists.

The Rose Books and Obscurities, located at 136 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey, has just added over a dozen new titles on Eastern philosophy and religion to our collection.

Highlights include an 1884 first edition of The Life of Buddha by Rockhill in excellent condition; an early edition of The Celestial Song by Edwin Arnold featuring the sought-after binding variant; and a stunning copy of The Buddhism of Tibet by Laurence Waddell.

About The Rose Books

The Rose Books and Obscurities carries a well-balanced selection of antiquarian collectible works and second hand books in all price ranges. The bookshop is small but dense in subject matters and carefully cultivated to satisfy serious collectors and general readers alike.

Youth Arts Collective invites you to view our 2025 Summer Art Show, showcasing over 100 original works created by YAC’s talented young artists and mentors. The show will open with a reception on Friday, July 25 and continue for a month at our studio and gallery, 472 Calle Principal in Downtown Old Monterey. Hours are Monday - Friday, 3pm-7pm & Saturday, 12pm-4pm

Online Gallery

Can’t make it in person? Visit our online gallery to see the full Summer Show and enjoy delightful "meet the artist" videos, each one offering a glimpse into the unique personalities and creative journeys behind the work. The online exhibit will open July 25.

About YAC

Youth Arts Collective is a nonprofit art studio and mentorship program for motivated high school and college artists. Our mission is to inspire creativity, kindness, and confidence in our youth through artistic expression and mutual respect. Do art. Be kind

Grit + Tonic Pilates is offering some great deals right now on Pilates Reformer group classes and private sessions at 476 Tyler Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Learn more and register here.

New Client Special
3 Group Classes for $75
(save $63)

Summer Special (good through 8/31)
Buy 2 private sessions, get 1 free
(save $125)

Grit + Tonic instructors Arianne and Melody are committed to supporting and inspiring students at all levels, from beginning to advanced. Come as you are and work on gaining strength, energy, and mobility.

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Mercedes-Benz have chosen Monterey County Youth Museum as one of the local nonprofit organizations to benefit from their annual car drawing. The winner of the drawing will receive a beautiful 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 (MSRP $45,000).

MY Museum has been given 2,250 tickets to sell for $100 per ticket. All funds raised will be used for MY Museum's educational programs and will provide subsidized museum visits for schools and families in challenging circumstances.

The drawing will be held on August 17, 2025 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance (you need not to be present to win). Tickets can be purchased in person at MY Museum, over the phone at 831-649-6444, or by reserving tickets online - we will call you for payment. Once payment is made we will mail you your tickets and receipt.

Help us bring joy and learning through play to children! Be assured that every time someone buys a ticket (or two or three) for the car drawing, MY Museum staff do the happy dance in the office.

Please note: winner of the car will be responsible for all applicable taxes, licensing, and transfer fees. Delivery is limited to within the USA only.

Did you know you can hold your child's birthday party at MY Museum? Monterey County Youth Museum was voted the “Best Place for a Birthday Party” in the Monterey County Weekly 2025 Reader’s Poll.

Private parties at MY Museum include 2 hours of exclusive playtime for up to 50 guests, a scavenger hunt, a photo opportunity, one goody bag for each child in attendance under age 12, and you get to enjoy the museum all to yourself! Plus, you're welcome to bring snacks and/or sweet treats and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy in the party room.

For more information, please visit MY Museum's website. The museum is located at 425 Washington Street in Downtown Old Monterey.